Everest: Sisyphis Climbing

4:26PM - King of the Fuzzy Dogs

It's been almost four years since I posted anything here. It doesn't seem like it, but it's true. One of the last things I posted here was about our family dog, Riley, about going to say good-bye to her.

Today, I had to say good-bye to Henry. I can't even begin to imagine life without the little guy. He was almost 15 years old, and the past few months have been rough on him, but he's been part of my life since I met Leslie in Shakespeare on the Mountain in 2000 - 10 years ago - and he's the best dog anyone could ever hope for.

All the traits good dogs have - unconditional love, loyalty, a little protective streak - Henry had, but he had more than that too. He had a lot of personality, comedic timing (on-stage and off), musical skill, an unquenchable desire for Jack's cheeseburgers, a can-do/go anywhere spirit, and a great curmudgeonly voice that was completely at odds with his huge, generous heart. Henry was the best dog I've ever had the pleasure to know, and I'm going to miss him so much.

Leslie had Henry for 12 years, and he's been with her through everything, helped take care of her through everything. For a long time, he was everything to her. Emma came along eventually, demanding to be made part of the family. We inherited Max not too long after that. When Leslie moved out of the apartment and into the house with the big back yard, she went and rescued Bella from the pound (the day we brought her home was one of Henry's happiest days, although I swear he about killed himself trying to make sure Bella knew he was boy). Leslie got a horse that didn't work out, then managed to get a wonderful horse, Spock, instead. We heard a kitten crying out by the road at a Burger King in Georgia, and Puddin' came into our lives. Henry was here through all of that, the stable, dependable little guy that you couldn't help but love, the patriarch and center of our little animal community. And now he's gone.

We never really thought he'd last this long. He got sick 5 years ago, diagnosed with kidney disease, putting him on a special, boring, unappetizing diet. The vets said most dogs don't last more than a year after that diagnosis. Henry fought through 5 years and, in the end, it wasn't even his kidneys that got him. Pancreatitis was just too much for him, so we had to let him go. Much as it hurt and still hurts us to do it, he was suffering, and we just couldn't do that to him anymore. He was ready, and he tried to tell us that, I think.

So this morning, we made one last trip to the vet, then we buried him out back at Leslie's parents' place, alongside Beaux, the good old dog Leslie grew up with. That was one of the hardest things I've ever had to be a part of, and I know it's hitting Leslie worse than it is me.

If anyone reads this, I'd appreciate your prayers for both of us.

Henry, I know you're up in Heaven and you're waiting for us to come get you. We will, buddy. Heaven wouldn't be heaven without you. In the meantime, find Beaux and Riley (and Chloe and Pogo and Calculus and all the other good dogs) and enjoy yourself. Climb up a slide, go on a hike, swim in a creek, start a dog fight, play with a football, mark every tree they've got, have your way with a bear, eat as many Jack's cheeseburgers as you want, and have a great time doing all the things you've always loved to do. We'll never forget you. We'll always love you.

Henry Crockett - King of the Fuzzy Dogs.
Long Live the King.

Current mood: crushed

11:21PM - Out of the mouths of babes...

Hello, loyal hangers on. Tonight, my nephew said something that I felt must be recorded for posterity; so here it is:

My just-turned-three nephew, Ethan, is an avid fan of stories. "Once upon a time..." will stop him in his tracks, no matter what he's doing. Then he'll run over, jump up into your lap, and say, "...there was a little boy named Ethan." Then he'll hang on your every word as you recount his harrowing adventures, adding an occasional extra detail of his own for color.

Tonight, he wanted stories about the Grinch - anything would do, as long as it included the Grinch and it was about the Grinch getting his in the end (preferably courtesy of Ethan, of course).

After a great many Grinch stories, I was about tapped out for story material; so I told Ethan that he had to tell me a story instead. He told me that he couldn't. I asked him why.

His response? "I don't have a bigger voice in my mind."

That's about the most profound thing I've ever heard out of a child's mouth. Pretty cool - thought you should all know.

2:03PM - So long, Riley...

Riley, the black lab that's been in our family for the past 11-12 years, is being put down as I type this. She's eaten up with cancer and has had trouble breathing these past couple of weeks; so it's for the best that she go out easily and without any suffering, but it tears me up anyway.

I went over to the house and sat with her for about an hour and a half today, crying like a baby most of the time, just sitting in the floor and petting her, talking with her about the things she used to do and the trouble she used to get into. I told her a lot that she was a good girl, because I figure she probably didn't get a lot of the other stuff I was saying, but I know she's well aware of what "good girl" means, and I wanted her to know that that's what she was. She mostly laid there with her head in my lap - as long as I kept scratching real good behind her right ear. When I left, she walked outside with me, wagging her tail. I told her goodbye, and she stood there looking up at me with those big brown doe eyes for a minute, then she made it easy on me and she turned away first, walking down the steps to lay down on the cool concrete in the garage with Chloe.

I'm a firm believer in Jesus Christ, and I know I'll go to heaven when I die. The Bible doesn't have a whole lot to say about what happens to animals, but I pretty firmly believe that Heaven just wouldn't be Heaven without dogs in it. A good dog certainly belongs there, and Riley was nothing if not a good dog. She was a sweet girl.

So long, Riley. Be waiting with a stick or a tennis ball and, when I see you next, we'll play for a bit.

Current mood: sad

12:26PM - All is Well...

That is all. Return to your regular programming.

OK - I'm here, might as well say a little something. Like most everyone else I know, I'm busier than a one-legged dog in a peeing contest (whatever that means - someone at work just said it and it's my new favorite phrase - I expect it to be my favorite phrase for about another 20 seconds; so I figured I'd better use it ASAP).

Daskolos just painted our bedroom a lovely shade known as Celery Bunch. In reality, it more closely resembles the color of the inside of a peppermint Aero candy bar, if you've ever been fortunate enough to sample one of those. At any rate, it's awesome, and it's a nice, cheery color without being manic.

Halogen is STILL trying to finish up this latest CD; it's taking an eternity to get this thing done. Sigh. We're singing at King College on the TN/VA border this weekend; then next weekend we're singing in Mayfield, KY.

The store is doing passably well. Fingers crossed, it will continue to do so.

Really enoyed Pirates of the Caribbean II: Dead Man's Chest. Go see it. Superman, I didn't love so much. It had its moments, but I've never been a Superman fan, and that movie contained all the elements of Superman that bother me.

Just joined Netflix. Happy about that. Animal House, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and March of the Penguins all showed up today. We shall have good laughs and then ooh and ah about the beauteosity that is penguins. So far, we've got 150 or so movies in our queue - in the interests of laziness, I won't actually look up the exact number.

We've been hanging out with Dr. Dave and Patty a good bit lately, and that's been a lot of fun. They're very cool people, and they're a lot of fun to hang out with. Learned how to play Mah Jong (sp?) recently, and that was fun, once we figured out the rules. It's kind of like a cross between scrabble, dominoes, and poker.

Played Carcossone at Villiage Idiot's place recently, and became instantly and completely hooked. What a fun game! Everyone must play it immediately. Preferably with me. I got the Inns & Cathedrals expansion, and that puts some cool new pieces in play. I need to get the Princess & Dragon expansion; it sounds like a lot of fun.

There. That was longer than I meant to go on. Later, compadres!

Current mood: busy

5:15PM - Surprise!

Things are going...about the same as usual. I'm busy! I found out this morning that I'm going to St. Louis Thursday and Friday of this week. I heard yesterday it might be coming, and now it is; so I'm off to the big city. That'll be fun! A 7-hour drive on Thursday for a 2:00 p.m. meeting; then we head back on Friday. It's mostly a sales call; so at least I don't have to worry about what charge number I'll be putting my time on. That's right - always a thrill a minute in this type of work.

Halogen has a gig in town on Sunday; so get off your butts and come out and see it. Yes, Dindrane, that means you. :-) We'll be at St. Mark's Lutheran Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. It'll be fun.


And I'm outta here...

Current mood: pensive

5:51PM - Interesting Stuff

Last night, I dragged Daskolos to a BSU reunion - no, not the Black Student Union, but the old Baptist Student Union, which played a significant role in my very lengthy college career. It was very cool to see some of the people who were there, people I haven't seen in YEARS and whom I miss.

Then there were the other people: need I say who they were, Willowesque? Yep, both of them were there, one with her very large husband, the other with her very dorky husband. It was...surreal. And weird.

It was TONS of fun playing Rook with Mark Medlock, one of my favorite people, and Marcus Haubritter, and John Leggett. THAT was like old times. We used to play Rook for 7-8 hours at a stretch, which was ridiculous, but sooooo much fun.

I don't think Daskolos minded too badly, but that could be because I had just grilled her a delicious filet mignon. What can I say? I'm sneaky.

Current mood: exhausted

2:08PM - I'm the greatest; I'm a bad man...quoth Mohammed Ali

5:05PM - I don't know; you tell me...

Just felt like writing a little something, that's all. Now if only I knew what...

I'm helping out the UAH Choir this Sunday afternoon by singing on their concert with them. It should be good, but I feel woefully unprepared for this. I'm going to have to hit the piano hard and bang out some notes - there are some very tricky passages in this piece, and it's going to be tough to do without the benefit of several weeks of regular rehearsal. Should be fun though - if you want a high-brow afternoon, come check this concert out.

Halogen is doing well. We're making good progress on our album, although it feels like it's taking forever to get this thing churned out. And we're performing all over the place, which is also very cool. I dig it.

Unless something goes awry with the TH board, I plan to be directing Proof this October. It is a fantabulous show, and I can't wait to sink my teeth into it. This whole directing thing is weird, but I like it. It's the only theatre thing, other than acting, that I have any desire to do, and there aren't just a ton of roles out there that I'm anxious to play.

Belize was incredible. Daskolos has covered the first half of the trip very well on her blog; so I'll leave the 2nd half to her as well. We just got the pictures downloaded off the camera the other night and had a chance to review them a little. Mostly, they make me want to go back!

That'll do for today. As you were.

Current mood: flirty

7:11AM - I'm married!

Yep, the blessed day has come and gone, and I don't really remember a whole lot of the details. But the important thing is that it worked - we're married - and we've got a letter from the probate court of Madison County to prove it. How cool is that?!

Other than that, things have been hectic and crazy, as usual. This week, I'm trying to move all my crap out of my apartment and into the house. Neither of us is quite sure where any of this 'extra' stuff is going to go. No doubt figuring that out will be a very special kind of fun.

Gotta work - more at you later...knowing my posting habits, probably much, much later... :-)

Current mood: sleepy

2:08PM - I conjure that's about right...

You scored as Serenity (Firefly). You like to live your own way and donâ??t enjoy when anyone but a friend tries to tell you should do different. Now if only the Reavers would quit trying to skin you. </td> Serenity (Firefly) 75% Enterprise D (Star Trek) 69% SG-1 (Stargate) 63% FBI's X-Files Division (The X-Files) 63% Babylon 5 (Babylon 5) 56% Deep Space Nine (Star Trek) 56% Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) 56% Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica) 56% Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda) 50% Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix) 44% Moya (Farscape) 44% Bebop (Cowboy Bebop) 31% Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile II: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? (pics) created with QuizFarm.com

Current mood: working

2:41PM - Because it's funny...

LiveJournal Haiku!
Your name:	everest
Your haiku:	own it sucks but there it is.so what prompted this a weird incident
Username:
Created by Grahame

3:20PM - Everest surprises everyone and posts to blog

Not much to report that hasn't been reported previously in a friend's friends-only post, but here I am anyway.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire disappoints. As a series of montages drawn from the book, this was something just about any fan would appreciate. As a movie, it struck this reviewer as something of let down. Entire plot lines were left in the dust and/or changed to make the movie make more sense. It didn't quite succeed. The film was still alright, but, like the third installment, it didn't knock my socks off the way the first two did. One of the glaring problems is that Richard Harris is no longer around to play Dumbledore. The new guy plays Dumbledore without any of the twinkle or humor that Dumbledore always readily displays, and he can't seem to maintain a consistent accent to save his life either. Sigh. Magical mediocrity is still magical, I guess.

Daskolos and I went to see Beauty and the Beast the other night. It was pretty good. Christie McCleary (she'll always be a McCleary to me) was FABULOUS as Belle, and her husband John was extremely good as Gaston - ironic, that the newlywed couple played these opposing characters, but it worked out well. Phil Parker as LeFou was hilarious and used his physical comedy skills well, and Ron Roberts made a very funny Lumiere (especially when one of his candlestick hands got knocked off and he adlibbed his way out of that by calling Cogsworth, very shrilly, an idiot - it was hilarious), but the rest of the show had its ups and downs. The pace was great one minute, then dragging for the next 10. The vocal quality of the rest of the cast members was hit or miss. The special effects, on the other hand, were special indeed, especially for local theatre fare, with awesome spectrographic effects, a cool LED dress for the enchantress, and a nicely done Beast rising into the air at the end to turn into the prince. The only exception to this special effects coup was the spotlight operation. Whoever was manning the spots was a day late and a dollar short almost every time the spots needed to be trained on someone; it was very distracting.

Hmm, what else? Thanksgiving is almost here. Christmas is coming up quickly. That, surely, is reason to, as Willowesque says, to "start gathering cheer." Gather away, children; gather away.

Chanticleer - the most amazing vocal group I've ever heard - will be in town on November 27, at 4:00. Spend the money. Come and experience their incredible talent. This year, they're doing one of their famous Christmas concerts, so it will be extra-special.

On December 3rd, Daskolos and I will be heading up to our annual Madrigal Dinner in Chattanooga. I've gone to that event every year since 1989 - that's over half my life, people! It's a great way to kick off the Christmas season! Next year, other folks are coming with us - no ifs, ands, or buts.

More later, loyal readers.

Current mood: okay

4:56PM - Haiku = Funny

This one made me laugh something fierce. Let me know what y'all think...

LiveJournal Haiku!
Your name:	everest
Your haiku:	yes he did say the costume rides up a bit of elizabeth shue
Username:
Created by Grahame

Current mood: nerdy

1:04PM - Surprise!!

Yeah, I know. I never update this thing. I'm too busy reading other people's to take the time and write my own. It sucks, but there it is.

So what prompted this? A weird incident at work this morning. We're tearing up what was formerly a very small cube farm and turning it into a couple of bigger offices. One of the contractors working on that was up on a ladder this morning, wiring something up into the ceiling. He failed to observe the lock-out/tag-out rule and, with a little zap of electricity, his day got really interesting. When the electricity hit him, he screamed - an odd, ululating, high-pitched scream (sounded like a young girl) - and the ladder he was standing on fell. That turned out to be fortuitous. The ladder falling over broke his contact with the electrical source, thus keeping him from being fried. As it is, his hands are both extremely "tingly" and that's about it. He was taken to the hospital for observation and treatment, per company policy, but I think he'll be okay. It was weird. I'm glad he's okay.

Disney World was fun, as always. Daskolos and I had a wonderful time with Dr. Dave and Patti. I can't wait to go back again - only next time I think we'll drive. It's an 11-hour drive or an 8-hour plane trip. I can live with those 3 extra hours if it means I don't have to deal with the frustrations that go along with airports and planes and being crammed into little, squishy, knee-killing seats with uber-tight seatbelts. Yeah, I can deal with that.

Shakespeare on the Mountain was awesome. If you missed it, you will be publicly shamed as soon as possible. You may yet be able to redeem yourself, however; it seems that just about the entire cast (all of them that I've spoken to so far) want to do the show again. We are currently planning to find an open venue and to give it another run. As a director, I feel pretty good that my first show was this popular with the cast - let's just hope it's this popular with the audiences again too...

What else? Firefly. Darn the guys at my store for sucking me into the abyss. I'm hooked. I admit it. It's hilarious. It's suspenseful. It's got action, romance, intrigue, death by pirates, problematic food - it's everything a guy could want. A lot like The Princess Bride that way.

Gotta run - I've got things to do!!

Current mood: busy

8:55AM - Hell, er, Tech Week...

Well, it's that time again. Things are coming to a boil with Shakespeare on the Mountain, and it's starting to get a little scary. I had to replace one of my actors this past Thursday. And, to further complicate things, the show is running about 20 minutes too long, and I can't seem to shorten it any, which is not good. I'm going to have to look at the script today and make some more cuts, from the look of it. It would help if I didn't have the majority of the actors fumbling around during the second half of the show too. Here's hoping they can pick it up - we open in 6 days!!

As an organization, Theatre Huntsville has been less than helpful with this show. I know SOTM has always been the red-headed step-child, getting pushed around from rehearsal space to rehearsal space, not being given any sort of assistance whatsoever, and this year is no exception. I never ever recieved the Director's Packet I was supposed to get a YEAR ago. If they want me to follow any of their stupid procedures, it's a little late now; I can't follow what I don't know. Heck, I still haven't heard if my budget proposal has been approved - so I'll take that as a yes. Silence is acquiescence, is it not?

Anyway, all you LJ folks better come and see the show! Support Daskolos and me - God knows we could use it...

Current mood: determined

1:27PM - Sometimes things just work out...

Today, I took up my lunch break getting the oil changed in my car. I stopped off at the BK drive-through first, so I could eat my lunch while getting my car taken car of, thus killing two birds with one stone. It was one of those moments: the Tender Crisp Chicken Sandwich had just the right amount of mayo, the bread was perfect, the fries were perfect, and the DP was, for lack of a better term, willowesque.

I feel better.

Current mood: content

9:45AM - Sad Days

I just got back from Salt Lake City, Utah. I'd never been there before. I went for a funeral. My neice, Ana Lee Solan, was born on Monday, April 11. She lived about 30 minutes. My sister and her husband held that little girl in their arms every second of her little life and for many hours beyond.

My sister went into labor when she was only 5 months into the pregnancy, and the doctors couldn't stop it. There was nothing they could do to prevent Ana Lee from being born, even though she wasn't ready yet. She was a beautiful little girl - even at 5 months, she had a full head of black hair, just like my sister did when she was born; she had fingernails and toenails, was perfectly formed in every way, except that her lungs weren't developed enough yet for her to breathe, not even with the aid of ventilators or respirators. She was so small! She was 10 inches long and weighed only 11 oz. They took her little footprints and handprints when she was born, just like they do with every live birth, and her footprints were literally no bigger than your thumbnail.

Her life was brief, so very brief, but she knew love every moment of it. I only wish I could've known her. I wish I could have seen her, held her, talked to her, played with her.

Now she lies in a cemetery, buried at the foot of a small tree, with snow-capped mountains all around. There are many other infants buried nearby, all at the foot of trees, and their parents have planted flowers around the bases of the trees, hung wind chimes in their branches, and placed small windmills and stuffed animals at their feet. It's strange, how comforting the sounds of those windchimes actually are. The sounds aren't loud or distracting, just there, a semblance of life in an otherwise too quiet place. Ana Lee's little body will rest in peace there; I have no doubt.

Her big brother, Ethan, only a year and a half old, had no idea what had happened, what was going on, but he knew something wasn't right. He had a tear in the corner of his eyes the whole time we were at the graveside. He kept picking up the flowers that fell from the arrangements when the wind blew too hard and knocked them over, and he just held them in his hands and looked at the little grave. It was a sad day for everyone.

Please keep my sister Amber and her husband Ralph in your prayers. They are desolate of heart at the moment, and they could use your prayers on their behalf.

Current mood: sad

3:55PM - As it turns out...

Check out my variant - just like I always say...

Main Type	Overall Self

Take Free Enneagram Personality Test

Current mood: productive

9:59PM - Le Sigh

I did it. I just married off my last high school crush. Christie McCleary just married - how weird is this? - one of Daskolos' ex-boyfriends. Christie is an absolute sweetheart of a girl, and I wish her all the best.

The reception was a hoot - except for the parts where they made me dance, but that wasn't really that bad, I suppose. We had a good time, and Daskolos enjoyed her evening, which is what matters to me.

Yeah, I know I haven't posted in, oh, forever, but I don't think anyone has missed me overmuch. It is good to have Willowesque back posting, however; I've missed her musings and ramblings...


Peach out, you. (Yes, I said that on purpose.)

Current mood: satisfied

11:09AM - HA! And you thought I'd never write again!

Surprise! It's me! I'm actually updating my blog - aren't you all proud?

So what's going on? Everything. Nothing. All at the same time. It's actually pretty confusing.

I'm gearing up for Shakespeare on the Mountain. This year, we're doing The Merchant of Venice, and I'm looking forward to that. I'm currently not spending as much time as I need to with the script, cutting it down and mixing down some of the parts so as to have fewer characters I'm required to cast. I'd prefer to be economical with the casting this year - no 36-member juggernaut this time around.

Halogen is also booking gigs and laying the groundwork for our next CD. Ethan started recording the guide tracks for the melodies this weekend. Hopefully that went well. Our next gig, February 15th, is a concert for Spiritual Emphasis Week at Franklin Road Academy in Nashville, where, apparently, all the big names in country music send their kids: Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Marty Roe, etc. That'll be fun. Our next gig after that is February 20th, at Isom's Chapel UMC, off Mooresville Road in Limestone County. You're all welcome to come check that out. We're currently also working on securing some more gigs, none of which are yet at a point to be commented upon.

Haven is getting the kinks worked out. Now that I've got the wheel, I hope to steer us out of this reef we've been floundering on for the past six months/year. Customers are coming back in; we've got people covering all the hours; our gaming sales are up and, better yet, they're almost all direct orders now, so there's no guessing involved. Jason Morgan's anime classes are about to start up and, as soon as they do, that'll be another excellent source of income for us. Good stuff. If you're reading this and you haven't been to the store in a while, come back and give us another shot; I think you'll find that things have improved mightily.

Work is going well - keeping me really busy - but going well. I'm thankful for that.

Lori, my sister, is back in town, having graduated from BYU with her degree in ballroom dance. It's good to have her home, even if I don't see her much more often now than I did before.

My little - MARRIED!!! - brother Phillip is in town for a couple of weeks as well. They're having a reception this Friday night so people can come and meet the new bride and, theoretically, bring presents. It's good to see him. He just finished part 1 of his Nuke school for the Navy, so we'll see how the rest of it goes, I guess.

Everyone in Theatre Huntsville who possibly could has given birth in the past few weeks. It's amazing. Molly Pettis Reid, Amy Patel, Lorie Gill Hubscher, and our very own Movholic, who has had a particularly rough go of it, getting very sick the week after giving birth. We miss you, Movholic, and hope you recover quickly!! Plus, we also want to meet Sophia - I'm sure she's a cutie!

That's all for today, folks, and probably for a while yet; I don't have the most distinguished record when it comes to posting frequency.

Current mood: rushed